Nana was stumped for any words. Huian had claimed to ask for forgiveness even then too when Nana was hospitalized, but it was her fear of getting caught that made her do that.
But now, her apology was genuine. The tear that slid from her eye, the painful expression she had, meant that Huian meant that apology from the bottom of the heart this time.
“I…” Nana didn’t know how to respond. This was out of her expectations.
Huian continued to speak in a hoarse voice. “I…was selfish…conceited…I took you for… granted-” She coughed in between, “You…got hurt…because of me. I-I am truly sorry. And for all…the other times too…when I insulted you. I know it…might be late, but…please forgive me…”
Nana held her hand in hers. “First, a fall, please stop speaking and rest a little. You look so pale.”
There was silence for a while. For a woman like Huian, who was once arrogant and selfish, to apologize to Nana, who was once her archenemy must have taken a lot of courage.
“Miss Huian,” Nana smiled faintly, “Let the past be the past. I admit that I was hurt by your actions that night and even more when you didn’t even mean your forgiveness, but let us all just move forward.”
Nana thought that this was for the best. There was no point in stretching the resentment. Plus, with her baby now due, she wished everyone to welcome this little member with a smile and joy. Considering Huian, it seemed impossible, but if fate was giving them a chance to sort things out, then why not?
And Xiang Wei and Xiang Qingge had done more than enough to pay for their daughter’s mistakes by always supporting Nana. One must always strive for peace wherever there even a tiny bit of hope in it.
Huian’s gaze brightened. She coughed again. “Really?”
Nana nodded.
Huian then gave a self-deprecating smile. “Why don’t you think that I am acting? For…Jinhai, I have done too many things…and hurt too many people. Maybe this is my plan…to gain your trust? And plot my revenge?”
Indeed, Nana had thought of that. She wondered whether Huian would still want Jinhai back after she wakes up from the coma. A woman as obsessed as Huian to give up on the man she loved so much was doubtful.
But now, after meeting her in person, and when she entered her ward, Nana slowly came to notice that she looked…changed and not just physically. She realized that Huian now looked at her in a different light. Her gaze didn’t hold that obsession and craziness as before, but at the same time, Nana felt an immense sadness emanating from it.
Nana recognized the sadness behind it. It was distinct. It was all too familiar to her.
That was the same heartbreak she felt when she had decided to get engaged to Jianyu. It was the pain of giving up. She knew at that time that being with Jinhai was impossible in this life. So, she accepted her fate.
And now Huian’s eyes reflected that same sorrow and that same grief. When Nana had once stood at the place where Huian is now, how can she not tell the difference between real and fake?
Nana said, “Miss Huian, your hand is slightly trembling in mine. It is because you don’t want me to misunderstand you, right?”
Huian didn’t notice her shaking hand.
Nana smiled. “Then we are good now.”
Huian felt grateful. “…thank you.” She softly said.
Nana said, “So miss Huian-“
“You…can call me…just Huian…”
Nana widened her eyes. “I…”
“Really…Please call me, Huian.” She urged her.
Nana paused for a moment and nodded. “Okay…Huian. So, why did you call me here and told me not to tell Jinhai?”
Huian got a little apprehensive. Jinhai’s evil smile and his threat were still fresh in her mind.
Will she believe me?
She was still afraid of what Jinhai would do if he came to know about this. He had already warned her. Her heart pounded in her chest. She felt short of breath. She was constantly biting her lower lip, and her gaze darted everywhere. It felt like she was still deciding on something.
Nana observed all of her reactions.
Do I see things? Why does she suddenly so seem afraid of Jinhai? From love to fear…isn’t the change a little drastic?
“Miss- I mean Huian, you can tell me. Is something the matter?” Nana softly asked to not panic her.
Huian tried to calm down. She bravely sent the message to Nana to meet her, but now that it was time, to tell the truth, she was having second thoughts.
She found the strength to speak amidst the pain in her throat. “Nana…you should know something…a-about Jinhai…”
“What? Why do you seem so scared of him?”
Huian tightly clutched her hand. “Nana…Jinhai…he is not s-so simple…he…”, Her eyes rimmed in tears, “he pu-push-“
*Ring*
A call from Nana’s phone interrupted Huian.
“I…just one minute.” Nana took out her phone.
“Jinhai…” Nana said.
Huian widened her eyes. She felt goosebumps crawling on her skin, and her body started shivering out of fear.
Did he come to know that Nana is here?
“Mmnn…mmn!” She desperately shook her head. “D-don’t tell him…that you are here. Please!”
Nana was dumbfounded to see such an extreme reaction from her.
Just what happened to make her so terrified of Jinhai?
The phone was still ringing in her hand. She picked it up. “Jinhai.”
“Nana. Where are you? I thought you are resting at home.”
Nana looked at Huian. “Um…I…”
Huian shook her head desperately. She mouthed. ‘Don’t tell him.’
Nana said, “I am in the hospital.”
Huian widened her eyes. She looked at her in disbelief.
“What!? In the hospital? Why? What happened? Are you okay? Why didn’t you tell me?” Jinhai breathlessly asked a string of questions.
“Jinhai relax, I’m fine. I was feeling bored, so I went to Natsukashi for some time. And then, when I was coming back home, the hospital was around the corner, so I thought I would just stop by to meet the doctor.”
Huian let out a huge sigh of relief. For a second, she thought that Nana would really tell him.
“Wait for me. I’m coming over there.” Jinhai said.
“No, it’s okay-“
“I’m already near the hospital. We will meet the doctor together.”
“Eh? So soon?”
“I was already outside for a business meeting. The hospital is on the way.”
“Oh. Okay.”
Nana looked at Huian. “Huian. I am sorry but I will have to leave. You heard what I said to Jinhai, right? He said that he is on his way here.”
Huian bit her lip in despair. She coughed. “…Okay.”
Nana stood up with the support of the side-table. “I will try to meet you sometime later. Take care.”
Nana felt a little uneasy about the way how Huian reacted to Jinhai now. Something felt odd to her. But with Jinhai coming any moment now, this was not the time to talk about it. She nodded slightly and left her ward.
—
Liang Xiao Dan was going through some restaurant catalogs. Liang Zou sighed, watching his wife so diligently working on it.
“Xiao Dan, I’m telling you that I don’t need a birthday banquet.”
Liang Xiao Dan glared at him. “Of course, you need one. We are in Beijing after so long. With your birthday banquet, we will get to meet all our friends and relatives again.”
Liang Zou rolled his eyes. “I am the birthday boy.”
She cracked in laughter. “You are the birthday ‘old man.’ You are not young to be called a boy anymore.”
He grimaced, being called an old man.
“I’m not an old man. I have not even become a grandfather by now, thanks to your useless son.”
“Hey! Don’t insult Shin. He is your son too.”
Liang Zou made a disdainful face. “Hah! So slow! He doesn’t even have a girlfriend yet. At his age, we already had our second child-“
He suddenly turned silent. Liang Xiao Dan also said nothing.
“I am sorry.”
Hesoftly said after a moment of silence.
She shook her head and smiled. “It’s not your fault. She is a part of our family; then, how can she be not a part of our conversation?”
Liang Zou sadly smiled. “I am sorry, Xiao Dan. I am such a pathetic father. I couldn’t find our baby daughter. I couldn’t protect our family.” A tear trickled down his eye.
“Sshh. Quiet.” Liang Xiao Dan warned. “I will not tolerate it if you blame yourself. Shin and I both know how you turned the world upside down to find her. But it was our sad fate, and nobody can fight against destiny.” She patted her hand.
“Alright, help me choose the restaurant for your banquet now. Catering is crucial okay?”
“Did you find any good ones?” He asked.
She beamed in delight. “I did. Lately, there is a really popular restaurant on-trend. The owner is an excellent chef who has catered to many high elites’ families. It is not a five- or seven-star hotel, yet it is on top ranks in the cuisine industry. Her food is really appreciated everywhere.”
“What is the name?”
“Natsukashi. The owner is quite young too, almost twenty-three only. The name also feels so warm right.”
He nodded.
“So how about we go for it?”
Liang Zou smiled. “Alright. Natsukashi will be the caterer of our banquet.”
